Clinical and biochemical parameters of children and adolescents applying pesticides

The primary agricultural product in Egypt is the cotton crop. Children and adolescents work seasonally in the cotton fields applying pesticides. To examine the effect of pesticide exposure on clinical and biochemical parameters in children and adolescents applying pesticides. Male children currently applying pesticides and aged between 9 and 19 years [n = 50] were recruited for this study. They were asked to complete work, health, and exposure questionnaires; examined for any medical and neurological problems with particular attention to sensory and motor functions including cranial nerves, sensory and motor system, and reflexes. From each participant, a blood sample was taken to measure acetylcholinesterase activity, and liver and kidney functions. Children who have never worked in agriculture [n = 50], matched on age, education, and socioeconomic status were also studied and served as controls. More neuromuscular disorders were identified in pesticide applicators than controls. A significant lower level of acetylcholinesterase was found in the applicator group compared to the controls. There was also a significant difference in hematological, renal and hepatic indices in the exposed children compared to the control children. Working more days in the current season and also working more years as a pesticide applicator were both associated with an increase in the prevalence of neuromuscular abnormalities and significant changes in the laboratory tests. Children and adolescent pesticide applicators working in farms of Egypt are at risk of developing serious health problems similar to those of adults

Decreased Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric epithelial proliferation by concurrent Schistosomal infection

Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] injection is associated with increased gastric epithelial proliferation, the enhanced epithelial proliferation is important in developing gastric carcinoma. Some developing countries with a high prevalence of H. pylori infection have high gastric cancer rates, whereas in others, these rates are low. The progression of helicobacter-induced gastritis and gastric atrophy mediated by T-helper cell, type 1 [Th1] response may be modulated by concurrent parasitic infection. Pathogenic helminths of the genus Schistosoma cause T-helper cell, type 2 [Th2] response to parasite eggs. The Th2 response is usually associated with down regulation of Th1 cytokine synthesis. The aim of the present study was to assess whether concurrent Schistosoma mansoni infection with H. pylori has an effect on gastric mucosal injury in view of cell proliferation, apoptosis, pathological changes, nitric oxide and oxyradicals status. Between April 2001 and March 2002, 73 patients [13 child and 60 adults] were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for dyspepsia and liver cirrhosis in the National Liver Institute, Menoufiya University. Four biopsy specimens were taken, two from the greater curvature of the antrum and two from the upper body of the stomach, biopsies were obtained from any lesion as well as from apparently healthy mucosa. One snap from each site was preserved in RNA later solution, then kept at -80°C till utilized for estimation of DNA-flow cytometric assay, reduced glutathion [GSH], catalase [CAT], superoxide dismutase [SOD], Nitric oxide [NO], and lipid peroxidation product- malondialdehyde [MDA]-. Diagnosis of bilharziasis was done by stool analysis, or by sigmoidoscopy and rectal snip. OF the 73 patients, 60 patients were cirrhotic [20 Child A, 34 B, 6 C], 48 were H. pylori-positive and 25 H. pylori negative. The mean age in H. pylori positive patients [46.31 +/- 10.7 years] was significantly less than in H. pylori - negative patients [52.8 +/- 7.2 years]. Infection with H. pylori alone correlated with increased DNA s-phase, proliferation activity and apoptosis [sub-G phase] [p 0.04, 0.03 and 0.04] respectively. Concurrent infection with schistosomiasis occurred in 34 patients and it significantly suppressed DNA 5-phase [P=0.001], proliferation activity [p<0.004], and apoptosis [sub-G phase], [p>0.05]. On contrast, concurrent infection had an adverse effect on liver cirrhosis with increased incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Schistosomal concurrent infection with H. pylori is associated with higher incidence of superficial gastritis, and may complicate liver cirrhosis with increased upper gastrointestinal bleeding. On the other hand, concurrent schistosomal infection may have a protective effect against the possible progression of H. pylori induced gastritis towards gastric carcinoma, by modulating the cytokine profile of the gastric mucosa with suppression of the proliferation activity. A detailed study of the cytokine expression in similar cases is recommended for unraveling the mystery of this phenomenon